COIMBATORE: Miscreants defaced the statue of former Chief Minister K Karunanidhi erected at the entrance of Anna Park in Salem, which came to light on Tuesday morning.

The 16-foot-high bronze statue was unveiled by Chief Minister MK Stalin in 2023. Miscreants may have poured black paint on the statue last night when no one was watching, police said.

Some DMK party cadre found the statue defaced and informed the police on Tuesday morning. Soon, a large number of party workers gathered, resulting in minor tension.

Tourism Minister R Rajendran, Salem Corporation Mayor A Ramachandran and other functionaries inspected the statue. Forensic experts lifted fingerprints to nab culprits.

Police seized a paint tin and are analysing the CCTV footage in the neighbourhood to trace out the culprits. “An elderly man was caught on CCTV walking with a paint can and a search is on to nab him,” police said. A case has been registered, and further investigations are ongoing.